PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board finds new evidence supports a possible link between his psychiatric disorders and his military service. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 2009. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU until September 22, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, recurrent, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetic retinopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claims for cerebellar condition, hypertension, prostate condition, kidney disability, scars, back disability, cervical spine disability, GERD, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. ,Service connection was granted for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, with sleep apnea being secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status prior to October 26, 2016 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or greater.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to May 28, 2019 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of being permanently and substantially confined to his immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability evaluation for PTSD was granted at 30 percent prior to May 25, 2017. The VA increased the rating to 70 percent from May 25, 2017 but only effective from that date. The appeal is denied as the Veteran's PTSD does not meet or nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim will be further evaluated with additional examinations and information.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for skin cancer of the face and head, as well as PTSD, need to be remanded due to lack of VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to attempt rescheduling the Veteran for VA or contracted examinations closer to his residence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and chronic fatigue syndrome due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, keratosis punctata, and tinea cruris did not cause or contribute to his death from vascular dementia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's service-connected conditions to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records and therapy records from a private therapist. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for these records to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate evaluations and need for further examinations. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, heart disability, hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, sleep apnea, and headaches.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for PTSD was increased from 30% to 70%, effective May 4, 2022. The decision also granted a TDIU rating since January 30, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder are both granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess the impact of PTSD on the Veteran's employability and to obtain private psychiatric treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to October 27, 2015, due to the need for further action by the Director, VA Compensation Service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that there is no evidence indicating any of his currently diagnosed psychiatric disabilities have a nexus to his military service or service-connected disabilities.